U.S. patent application number 17/603425 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for heat storage unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tomoegawa Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shuhei HATANO, Ritsu KAWASE, Hideki MORIUCHI, Katsuya OKUMURA.
Application Number | 20220187026 17/603425 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220187026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKUMURA; Katsuya ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
HEAT STORAGE UNIT
Abstract
Provided is a heat storage unit having a simple configuration,
capable of being attached to various objects, and capable of
efficiently performing heat exchange. The heat storage unit has at
least one inorganic fiber member configured by binding or
entangling flexible inorganic fibers and having a desired shape;
and a heat storage material in contact with the inorganic
fibers.
Inventors: |
OKUMURA; Katsuya; (Tokyo,
JP) ; HATANO; Shuhei; (Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka,
JP) ; KAWASE; Ritsu; (Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, JP)
; MORIUCHI; Hideki; (Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tomoegawa Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/603425 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
April 17, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2020/016959 |
371 Date: |
October 13, 2021 |
International
Class: |
F28D 20/02 20060101
F28D020/02; F28F 21/00 20060101 F28F021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 23, 2019 |
JP |
2019-081464 |
Claims
1. A heat storage unit comprising: at least one inorganic fiber
member configured by binding or entangling inorganic fibers and
having a desired shape; and a heat storage material in contact with
the inorganic fibers.
2. The heat storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat
storage unit is arranged in contact with a flow path through which
a heating medium flows, and the inorganic fiber member configured
by binding or entangling inorganic fibers is arranged in the flow
path.
3. The heat storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising a
housing that houses the inorganic fiber member and the heat storage
material.
4. A heat storage unit used in a heat exchange device for adjusting
a temperature of an object, wherein the heat exchange device
further includes: a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts a
temperature of an object installation portion in which an object is
installed; a heating medium supply unit that supplies a heating
medium having a predetermined temperature to the temperature
adjustment unit; a first supply flow path that supplies the heating
medium from the heating medium supply unit to the temperature
adjustment unit; a return flow path provided adjacently to the heat
storage unit, the return flow path returning the heating medium
from the temperature adjustment unit to the heating medium supply
unit, the return flow path allowing heat exchange between the
heating medium and the heat storage unit; a second supply flow path
that supplies the heating medium from the heating medium supply
unit to the heat storage unit; and a flow path forming unit that
forms either the first supply flow path or the second supply flow
path, the heat storage unit includes: at least one inorganic fiber
body configured by binding or entangling inorganic fibers; and a
heat storage material formed in contact with the inorganic fibers,
when the first supply flow path is formed by the flow path forming
unit, a temperature of the heating medium is brought close to the
predetermined temperature by heat exchange between the heat storage
material and the heating medium, and when the second supply flow
path is formed by the flow path forming unit, the heat storage
material is regenerated by heat exchange between the heat storage
material and the heating medium.
5. The heat storage unit according to claim 4, wherein in a case
where the heating medium is a warming medium, when the first supply
flow path is formed by the flow path forming unit, heat is
transferred from the heat storage material to the warming medium,
so that a temperature of the warming medium is increased and
brought close to the predetermined temperature, and when the second
supply flow path is formed by the flow path forming unit, heat is
transferred from the warming medium to the heat storage material,
so that a temperature of the heat storage material is increased and
the heat storage material is regenerated.
6. The heat storage unit according to claim 4, wherein in a case
where the heating medium is a cooling medium, when the first supply
flow path is formed by the flow path forming unit, heat is
transferred from the cooling medium to the heat storage material,
so that a temperature of the cooling medium is decreased and
brought close to the predetermined temperature, and when the second
supply flow path is formed by the flow path forming unit, heat is
transferred from the heat storage material to the cooling medium,
so that a temperature of the heat storage material is decreased and
the heat storage material is regenerated.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a heat storage unit having
a heat storage material.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A heat storage unit for adjusting various objects such as a
semiconductor substrate to desired temperatures is known. The heat
storage unit includes a heat storage material, a heat conductive
member, a sheet member, and the like (for example, refer to Patent
Literature 1). Specifically, the heat storage material is a phase
change type heat storage material. In addition, the heat conductive
member has a wavy shape and includes a resin reinforced graphite
sheet using a stack with a formed graphite layer and the like. The
sheet member includes two types of films including a heat
conductive material layer and having different rigidities from each
other.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP 2017-75773 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] The heat storage unit described above has been made in order
to increase overall strength and the degree of freedom in shape.
However, in the heat storage unit, a plurality of members having
various characteristics and shapes is arranged and joined, so that
the structure of the heat storage unit becomes complicated and the
assembly thereof inevitably becomes complicated.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above
points, and an object thereof is to provide a heat storage unit
having a simple configuration, capable of being attached to various
objects, and capable of efficiently performing heat exchange.
Solution to Problem
[0006] A characteristic of the heat storage unit according to the
present invention is that the heat storage unit includes
[0007] at least one inorganic fiber member configured by binding or
entangling inorganic fibers and having a desired shape; and
[0008] a heat storage material in contact with the inorganic
fiber.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] The heat storage unit has a simple configuration, capable of
being attached to various objects, and capable of efficiently
performing heat exchange.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of
an inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of an inorganic fiber 102 constituting the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 by enlarging the inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state in which the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is in contact with the
heat storage material 200 by enlarging the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200 constituting the heat storage
unit 10.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of embedded type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of impregnated type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of supported type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of supported type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of layered type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet 100
and the heat storage material 200.
[0018] FIG. 9(A) is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in
which by bending a single continuous inorganic fiber sheet 100, the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 is formed in an overlapping state, and
FIG. 9(B) is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a
plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 that are separate from each
other is formed by being overlapped with each other.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a specific
structure of a heat storage unit 10 using the inorganic fiber
sheets 100 illustrated in FIG. 9B.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an inorganic fiber mesh
body 150 having a mesh-like shape.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10A is arranged on a single pipe PI1
formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10B is arranged around three pipes PI1
formed in a cylindrical shape.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10C is arranged along a pipe PI2 formed
in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape outside the pipe
PI2.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10D is arranged along a pipe PI3 formed
in a rectangular cylindrical shape inside the pipe PI3.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which the heat storage unit 10C is arranged along a pipe PI2 formed
in a rectangular tube shape outside the pipe PI2.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
of a temperature adjustment device 600 for adjusting a workpiece
(object) to a predetermined temperature.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a flow path for
regenerating a high-temperature heat storage unit 640.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a flow path for
regenerating a low-temperature heat storage unit 650.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is made in a flat shape.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed so that unevenness is
repeated.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 having a cross-section bent so as to repeat a V
shape and an inverted V shape.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 having a cross section bent so as to repeat a
U-shape and an inverted U-shape.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
an elongated inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed into a spiral
shape.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed into a scroll shape
(spiral spring shape).
[0035] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 is made in a layered
shape by being arranged substantially in parallel while being
separated from each other.
[0036] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in
which the heat storage material 200 is arranged around a pipe
PI0.
[0037] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in
which the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material
200 are arranged around the pipe PI0.
[0038] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating part of a
housing 300.
[0039] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
configuration of the housing 300.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Summary of Present Embodiments
First Aspect
[0040] According to a first aspect, provided is a heat storage unit
including:
[0041] at least one inorganic fiber member (for example, an
inorganic fiber sheet 100 to be described later or the like)
configured by binding or entangling inorganic fibers (for example,
inorganic fibers 102 to be described later or the like) and having
a desired shape; and
[0042] a heat storage material (for example, a heat storage
material 200 to be described later or the like) in contact with the
inorganic fiber.
[0043] The heat storage unit according to the first aspect includes
at least one inorganic fiber member and the heat storage material.
The inorganic fiber member includes the inorganic fibers, and the
inorganic fibers are configured by binding or entangling. The
inorganic fiber member has a desired shape. Note that the inorganic
fiber may or may not have flexibility. It does not matter whether
the flexibility of the inorganic fiber is large or small and
present or absent.
[0044] With such a configuration, the heat storage unit according
to the first aspect includes at least one inorganic fiber member
and the heat storage material, and thus can have a simple
configuration. In addition, the heat storage unit according to the
first aspect is capable of efficiently performing heat exchange
between the heat storage material and the outside via the inorganic
fiber member.
Second Aspect
[0045] A second aspect is configured so that in the first aspect,
the second aspect is arranged in contact with a flow path through
which a heating medium flows, and an inorganic fiber member
configured by binding or entangling inorganic fibers is arranged in
the flow path.
Third Aspect
[0046] A third aspect is configured so that in the first aspect, a
housing (for example, a housing 300 to be described later or the
like) that houses the inorganic fiber member and the heat storage
material is further provided.
Fourth Aspect
[0047] According to a fourth aspect,
[0048] provided is a heat storage unit (for example, a heat storage
unit 10, a high-temperature heat storage unit 640, a
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 to be described later or the
like) used in a heat exchange device (for example, a temperature
adjustment device 600 to be described later or the like) for
regulating a temperature of an object, in which
[0049] the heat exchange device further includes:
[0050] a temperature adjustment unit (for example, a workpiece
temperature control unit 630 to be described later or the like)
that adjusts a temperature of an object installation portion in
which an object is installed;
[0051] a heating medium supply unit (for example, a
high-temperature chiller 610, a low-temperature chiller 620 to be
described later or the like) that supplies a heating medium having
a predetermined temperature (for example, a predetermined high
temperature, a predetermined low temperature to be described later
or the like) to the temperature adjustment unit;
[0052] a first supply flow path (for example, pipes 702, 703, 706,
704, and 705 to be described later or the like) that supplies the
heating medium from the heating medium supply unit to the
temperature adjustment unit;
[0053] a return flow path (for example, pipes 708, 710, 712, 714,
and 716 to be described later or the like) that is provided
adjacently to the heat storage unit, returns the heating medium
from the temperature adjustment unit to the heating medium supply
unit, and allows heat exchange between the heating medium and the
heat storage unit;
[0054] a second supply flow path (for example, 702, 720, 704, and
722 to be described later or the like) that supplies the heating
medium from the heating medium supply unit to the heat storage
unit; and
[0055] a flow path forming unit (for example, branching portions
752 and 754 to be described later or the like) that forms either
the first supply flow path or the second supply flow path,
[0056] the heat storage unit includes:
[0057] at least one inorganic fiber body (for example, inorganic
fiber sheet 100 to be described later or the like) configured by
binding or entangling inorganic fibers (for example, inorganic
fibers 102 to be described later or the like); and
[0058] a heat storage material (for example, a heat storage
material 200 to be described later or the like) formed in contact
with the inorganic fiber,
[0059] when the first supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, a temperature of the heating medium is brought close
to the predetermined temperature (for example, a state in FIG. 17
to be described later or the like) by heat exchange between the
heat storage material and the heating medium, and
[0060] when the second supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, the heat storage material is regenerated (for
example, a state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 to be described later or the
like) by heat exchange between the heat storage material and the
heating medium.
[0061] In the heat exchange device, the heat storage material is
used as an auxiliary engine for heat exchange, whereby it is easy
to bring the temperature of the heating medium close to a desired
predetermined temperature. That is, the load of a control device
such as a temperature controller can be reduced by using the heat
storage unit of the present invention instead of completely relying
on the control device such as a temperature controller.
Fifth Aspect
[0062] A fifth aspect is configured so that in the fourth
aspect,
[0063] in a case where the heating medium is a warming medium,
[0064] when the first supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, heat is transferred from the heat storage material to
the warming medium, whereby a temperature of the warming medium is
increased and brought close to the predetermined temperature (for
example, a state in FIG. 17 to be described later or the like),
and
[0065] when the second supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, heat is transferred from the warming medium to the
heat storage material, whereby a temperature of the heat storage
material is increased and the heat storage material is regenerated
(for example, a state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 to be described later
or the like).
Sixth Aspect
[0066] A sixth aspect is configured so that in the fourth
aspect,
[0067] in a case where the heating medium is a cooling medium,
[0068] when the first supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, heat is transferred from the cooling medium to the
heat storage material, whereby a temperature of the cooling medium
is decreased and brought close to the predetermined temperature
(for example, a state in FIG. 17 to be described later or the
like), and
[0069] when the second supply flow path is formed by the flow path
forming unit, heat is transferred from the heat storage material to
the cooling medium, whereby a temperature of the heat storage
material is decreased and the heat storage material is regenerated
(for example, a state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 to be described later
or the like).
Details of Present Embodiments
[0070] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with
reference to the drawings.
<<<<Configuration of Heat Storage Unit
10>>>
[0071] The heat storage unit 10 mainly includes the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. Furthermore, the heat
storage unit 10 may have the housing 300. The presence or absence
of the housing 300 will be described in detail later.
<<<Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100 and Heat Storage Material
200>>
<<Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>>
[0072] The inorganic fiber sheet 100 is not particularly limited as
long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired, and
examples thereof include a sheet obtained by wet papermaking of the
inorganic fiber 102, an inorganic fiber sheet prepared by a
publicly known method of producing a dry nonwoven fabric, and a
sheet (for example, mesh) in which inorganic long fibers are woven
and the like. Among those sheets, the fiber sheet obtained by wet
papermaking is suitable because the thickness of the sheet can be
reduced, and furthermore, the inorganic fibers 102 and the like are
uniformly dispersed to form a dense network structure, and the
fiber sheet is a uniform sheet with little variation in thickness
and weight. By making the inorganic fiber sheet 100 thin and
uniform, it is possible to include a plurality of inorganic fiber
sheets 100 in the heat storage unit 10 according to the present
invention, and it becomes possible to make uniform and rapid heat
exchange through the heat storage and heat dissipation of the heat
storage unit 10 as a whole.
[0073] A fiber used for the inorganic fiber sheet 100 according to
the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the
fiber is an inorganic fiber. Examples of the fiber include a single
metal fiber such as copper, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum,
nickel, chromium, and tungsten; an alloy fiber such as stainless
steel, a copper alloy, a tungsten alloy, and a chromium alloy; a
glass fiber; an alumina fiber; a graphite fiber; a carbon fiber; a
silica fiber; a boron fiber; and the like. These fibers can be used
alone or in combination of a plurality of kinds thereof. Among
these fibers, a material having high heat conductivity is
preferable, the metal fiber and the alloy fiber are preferable, and
copper, silver, aluminum, stainless steel, and the copper alloy are
more preferable because it is possible to increase speed of heat
storage and heat dissipation of the heat storage unit 10 according
to the present invention.
[0074] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 according to the
present invention may contain organic fibers as long as the effects
of the present invention are not impaired. The upper limit of the
content of the organic fiber can be, for example, 20% or less.
[0075] Note that in the heat storage unit 10 according to the
present invention, an organic fiber sheet can be used instead of
the inorganic fiber sheet 100. In particular, in a case where an
organic fiber sheet made of a material having higher heat
conductivity than the heat storage material 200 to be described
later is used, the effect of the heat storage unit 10 of the
present invention can be exhibited. Here, examples of the organic
fiber sheet made of a material having higher heat conductivity
include a crystalline polymer fiber such as an aramid fiber, a
polyethylene fiber, a polyamide fiber, a polytetrafluoroethylene
fiber, and a polyethylene terephthalate fiber. However, the fiber
sheet used in the present invention is preferably a material having
high heat conductivity, and in a case where an organic fiber sheet
having low heat conductivity is used instead of an inorganic fiber
sheet 100, the heat storage unit 10 is inferior in performance.
[0076] Other additives can be added to the inorganic fiber sheet
100 as necessary. Examples of the additive include a binder and a
thickener. Examples of the binder include an acrylic resin and
polyvinyl alcohol and the like.
[0077] As the inorganic fiber sheet 100, a sheet obtained by
binding the inorganic fibers 102 with a binder resin at the time of
manufacturing can be used, but this sheet is made a sheet of 100%
inorganic fibers sintered at a temperature at which the inorganic
fibers 102 are not completely melted in a vacuum or non-oxidizing
atmosphere gas, whereby a sheet that contains no organic substance
and has strength with the inorganic fibers 102 fused to each other
can be prepared. In a case where there are many bonds between the
inorganic fibers 102, heat transfer in the inorganic fibers 102 is
rapidly performed, and the heat storage and heat dissipation of the
heat storage unit 10 according to the present invention can be
efficiently performed.
[0078] The fiber diameter of the fiber used for the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1
.mu.m to 50 .mu.m, preferably 2 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m, and more
preferably 3 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m.
[0079] The fiber length of the fiber used for the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 is not particularly limited as long as the fiber length
does not interfere with the manufacturing, and can be, for example,
0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 1 mm to
2 mm.
[0080] The porosity of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is not
particularly limited, but can be, for example, 30% to 99%, more
preferably 40% to 98%, and still more preferably 50% to 97%. In a
case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is within such ranges, the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 having rigidity can be formed. In
addition, the heat storage material 200 can spread throughout the
inside of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, and the heat storage
material 200 can be in close contact with a fiber surface
constituting the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in a wide area.
Therefore, the heat storage unit 10 can efficiently store and
dissipate heat in and from the heat storage material 200 via the
inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0081] The porosity is a proportion of a space with no fiber
present to the volume of a fiber sheet, and is calculated from the
volume and mass of the fiber sheet and the density of a fiber
material.
The porosity (%)=(1-the mass of a fiber sheet/(the volume of the
fiber sheet.times.the density of a fiber)).times.100
[0082] Note that the porosity can be adjusted by the thickness and
amount of the fiber to be used, the density of a material in which
the fibers are entangled, and pressure in compression molding.
[0083] Note that in an example described above, the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 includes only the inorganic fiber 102, but may include a
fiber other than the inorganic fiber 102, and the like.
<<Heat Storage Material 200>>
[0084] The heat storage material 200 according to the present
invention transfers heat from the heating medium via the inorganic
fiber sheet 100, and stores and dissipates heat. As the heat
storage material 200, a heat storage material of a sensible heat
storage type, a latent heat storage type, or a chemical heat
storage type can be used, and the heat storage material 200 is not
particularly limited.
[0085] Since the sensible heat storage type heat storage material
200 has a relatively low heat storage density, the sensible heat
storage type heat storage material 200 has low heat storage
efficiency, but is very excellent in terms of stability, safety,
price, ease of handling, and durability. The latent heat storage
type heat storage material 200 has a high heat storage density and
is excellent in heat storage efficiency as well as is very
excellent in stability, safety, price, ease of handling, and
durability. The chemical heat storage type heat storage material
200 has a very high heat storage density and is very excellent in
heat storage efficiency, but has low stability, safety, price, ease
of handling, and durability. Therefore, in the heat storage unit 10
according to the present invention, the latent heat storage type
heat storage material 200 can be preferably used. In addition, a
heat storage temperature and heat storage energy can be controlled
by adjusting the components of the heat storage material 200 and a
mixing ratio.
[0086] As the latent heat storage type heat storage material 200,
which is a preferable example, a heat storage material of a type in
which heat applied to the heat storage material 200 is stored as
latent heat when a solid-liquid phase transition occurs or a heat
storage material of a type in which heat is stored as latent heat
when a solid-solid phase transition occurs can be used.
[0087] Examples of the heat storage material 200 using the latent
heat of a solid-liquid phase transition include a single-component
heat storage material such as water (ice), paraffin series, an
alkali metal hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, beryllium hydroxide,
an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an inorganic salt such as
nitrate, and an inorganic hydrated salt such as sodium acetate
trihydrate; and a mixture of a plurality of components such as a
mixture of inorganic salts or inorganic hydrates such as a mixture
of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and magnesium chloride
hexahydrate, a mixture of organic compounds such as a mixture of
lauric acid and capric acid, and a mixture of an inorganic salt and
an organic compound such as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and urea.
In addition, as the paraffin series, for example, a heat storage
material including n-pentadecane that is an n-paraffin series heat
storage material and a heat storage material including an elastomer
and paraffin can be used.
[0088] The heat storage material 200 using the latent heat of a
solid-liquid phase transition can be used in the heat storage unit
10 of the present invention, for example, by applying heat to the
heat storage material 200 using the latent heat of a solid-liquid
phase transition to form a liquid phase, then impregnating the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 according to the present invention in the
heat storage material 200 or immersing the inorganic fiber sheet
100 in heat storage material 200 formed into the liquid phase, then
decreasing the temperature to form a solid phase, and embedding the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 in the heat storage material 200 or the
like.
[0089] Examples of the heat storage material 200 using the latent
heat of a solid-solid phase transition include an organic compound
such as a polyethylene glycol copolymer crosslinked conjugate; a
transition metal ceramic such as LiMnO.sub.4, LiVS.sub.2,
LiVO.sub.2, NaNiO.sub.2, LiRh.sub.2O.sub.4, V.sub.2O.sub.3,
V.sub.4O.sub.7, V.sub.6O.sub.11, Ti.sub.4O.sub.7,
SmBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5, EuBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5, GdBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5,
TbBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5, DyBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5, HoBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5,
YBaFe.sub.2O.sub.5, PrBaCo.sub.2O.sub.5.5, DyBaCo.sub.2O.sub.5.54,
HoBaCo.sub.2O.sub.5.48, and YBaCo.sub.2O.sub.5.49; vanadium dioxide
(VO.sub.2) in which part of vanadium is substituted with metal such
as niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), tantalum (Ta),
tungsten (W), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), and iridium (Ir). The
vanadium dioxide in which part of vanadium is substituted with the
metal is a compound that can be represented as
V.sub.1-xM.sub.xO.sub.2 when the substituted metal is M and the
amount of substituted M is x. Here, x is a decimal number greater
than 0 and less than 1.
[0090] The heat storage material 200 using the latent heat of a
solid-solid phase transition can be used in the heat storage unit
10 of the present invention, for example, by forming the heat
storage material 200 using the latent heat of a solid-solid phase
transition into powders and filling and supporting the powders in
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 according to the present invention or
the like, or embedding the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in the heat
storage material 200 formed into powders or the like.
[0091] In addition, the heat storage material 200 using the latent
heat of a solid-solid phase transition can be used as a lump
material of a shape such as a sheet-like shape and a block-like
shape by being layered or brought into contact with the inorganic
fiber sheet 100.
<<Configuration of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>>
[0092] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of
the inorganic fiber sheet 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 has a flexible sheet-like (thin
plate-like) form. The inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be deflected or
bent, and can be deformed into a desired shape. In addition, the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be processed by cutting or the like,
and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be processed into a desired
size. As will be described later, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can
be arranged in a shape and a size corresponding to the shape, size,
and the like of a member such as a pipe. Note that the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 may be not only one having flexibility but also one
having high rigidity and no flexibility. An appropriate inorganic
fiber sheet 100 is appropriately selected in terms of to the
magnitude and presence or absence of flexibility according to the
state, shape, and size of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 housed in
the heat storage unit 10, the type of the heat storage material
200, and the like.
[0093] The inorganic fiber sheet 100 has a sheet-like shape, has a
predetermined thickness, and has two constant surfaces facing each
other in opposite directions that are a first surface 110 and a
second surface 120 opposite to the first surface. Note that the
thickness of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 does not necessarily
need to be constant, and any thickness can be used as long as the
first surface 110 and the second surface 120 are defined from each
other.
[0094] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of the inorganic fiber 102 constituting the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 by enlarging the inorganic fiber sheet 100. The inorganic
fiber sheet 100 is formed by binding or entangling a part of
adjacent inorganic fibers 102. Each of the inorganic fibers 102 may
be bound or entangled at only one location, or may be bound or
entangled at a plurality of locations. By binding or entangling
adjacent inorganic fibers 102, heat can be transferred one after
another throughout a plurality of inorganic fibers 102 that is
bound or entangled.
[0095] As described above, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 only needs
to be configured to be heat conductive while being capable of
maintaining a state in which the inorganic fibers 102 are bound or
entangled, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is not limited in
terms of forms such as a shape and a size, and only needs to be an
inorganic fiber body constituted by the inorganic fiber 102. For
example, as will be described later, the inorganic fiber sheet 100
is used for heat exchange (heat transfer) with the outside of the
heat storage unit 10. Note that the outside of the heat storage
unit 10 includes a heating medium (heating medium) such as a
warming medium and a cooling medium that flow through a member such
as a pipe to which the heat storage unit 10 is attached and the
like.
<<<Type of Contact Between Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100 and
Heat Storage Material 200>>>
[0096] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state in which the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is in contact with the
heat storage material 200 by enlarging the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200 constituting the heat storage
unit 10. In FIG. 3, a black curve indicates the inorganic fiber 102
constituting the inorganic fiber sheet 100, and a plurality of
horizontal lines indicates regions where the heat storage material
200 exists. Note that it is assumed that the heat storage material
200 is continuously formed in the regions illustrated by the
plurality of horizontal lines.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat storage unit 10 has the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. As
described above, the inorganic fibers 102 constituting the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 are bound or entangled with each other. A
gap (void) is formed between the adjacent inorganic fibers 102. In
an example illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat storage material 200 is
filled in the gap between the adjacent inorganic fibers 102 to be
continuously formed. As described above, the heat storage material
200 is in contact not only with the inorganic fiber 102 in a
surface (first surface 110 or second surface 120) portion of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 but also in contact with the inorganic
fiber 102 present in the region inside the inorganic fiber sheet
100. Note that in FIG. 3, the first surface 110 or the second
surface 120, which is the surface of the inorganic fiber sheet 100,
is illustrated by an alternate long and short dash line in order to
clearly illustrate the first surface 110 or the second surface 120.
As described above, in an example illustrated in FIG. 3, the
inorganic fibers 102 constituting the inorganic fiber sheet 100 are
in contact with the heat storage material 200 as a whole. That is,
in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat storage material 200
is filled over the entire region (surfaces and an internal region)
of the inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0098] Note that the entire gap between the inorganic fibers 102
may not be sufficiently filled with the heat storage material 200,
and a certain degree of gap (air layer or region) may be generated
(not illustrated). When the heat storage material 200 is in contact
with at least the surface of a part of the inorganic fibers 102,
heat can be stored in the heat storage material 200, and heat
exchange can be performed between the outside of the heat storage
unit 10 and the heat storage material 200.
[0099] By bringing the inorganic fiber 102 into contact with the
heat storage material 200, heat exchange can be directly performed
between the inorganic fiber 102 and the heat storage material 200
without passing through air. Specifically, heat introduced from the
outside of the heat storage unit 10 is first transferred to the
inorganic fiber 102 of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, then
transferred to the heat storage material 200 via the inorganic
fiber sheet 100, and stored in the heat storage material 200.
Meanwhile, the heat stored in the heat storage material 200 is
first transferred to the inorganic fiber 102 of the inorganic fiber
sheet 100, and then led out to the outside of the heat storage unit
10 via the inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0100] The type of contact between the inorganic fiber sheet 100
and the heat storage material 200 includes an embedded type, an
impregnated type, a supported type, a layered type, and the like as
will be illustrated below. Also in FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrated below,
a black curve indicates the inorganic fiber 102 constituting the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, and a plurality of horizontal lines
indicates regions where the heat storage material 200 exists. In
the regions illustrated by the plurality of horizontal lines, the
heat storage material 200 is continuously formed. The supported
type is an aspect in which, for example, a particulate heat storage
material is fixed to an inorganic fiber surface constituting the
inorganic fiber sheet 100.
<<Impregnated Type>>
[0101] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of impregnated type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200. As in FIG. 3, the heat
storage unit 10 has the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat
storage material 200. Note that also in FIG. 4, the first surface
110 or the second surface 120 is virtually illustrated by an
alternate long and short dash line in order to clearly illustrate
the first surface 110 or the second surface 120.
[0102] In the impregnated type, the entire heat storage material
200 is embedded in the inorganic fiber sheet 100, whereby the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 comes into contact with the heat storage
material 200. As in to FIG. 3, a gap between the adjacent inorganic
fibers 102 is filled with the heat storage material 200 to be
continuously formed. By transferring heat to the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 located outside the heat storage material 200, heat can
be introduced and stored in the heat storage material 200 existing
in a region inside the inorganic fiber sheet 100. Depending on the
amount of the heat storage material to be impregnated, an aspect
illustrated in FIG. 3 can also be said to be a form of
embedding.
<<Embedded Type>>
[0103] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a microscopic
state of embedded type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200. As in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
heat storage unit 10 has the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat
storage material 200. Note that also in FIG. 5, the first surface
110 or the second surface 120 is virtually illustrated by an
alternate long and short dash line in order to clearly illustrate
the first surface 110 or the second surface 120.
[0104] In the embedded type, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 (at
least part of the inorganic fiber sheet 100) is embedded in the
heat storage material 200, whereby a state in which the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 is in contact with the heat storage material 200 is
maintained. Note that in the case of the embedded type, it is
preferable that part of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is configured
to extend to the outside of the heat storage material 200, or the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 located inside the heat storage material
200 is connected to a metal body or another inorganic fiber sheet
located outside the heat storage material 200. With such a
configuration, heat exchange can be performed between the inside
and the outside of the heat storage material 200.
<<Layered Type>>
[0105] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a
microscopic state of layered type contact between the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. As in FIGS. 3 to
5, the heat storage unit 10 has the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and
the heat storage material 200. Note that also in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8,
the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 is virtually
illustrated by an alternate long and short dash line in order to
clearly illustrate the first surface 110 or the second surface
120.
[0106] The layered type is an aspect in which only part of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 is in contact with the heat storage
material 200, or the heat storage material 200 partially enters the
inside of the inorganic fiber sheet 100. FIG. 6 illustrates contact
with the heat storage material 200 up to the inside of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, and FIG. 7 illustrates contact with the
heat storage material 200 only on the surface of the inorganic
fiber sheet 100. FIG. 8 illustrates an aspect in which FIG. 6 is
layered.
<<Contact with Heat Storage Material 200>>
[0107] In examples illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, a case where the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 is made in a flat shape has been
described as an example, but as described above, the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 has flexibility and can be deformed into a desired
shape. Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
deformed, various heat storage units 10 can be configured by
appropriately selecting the embedded type, the impregnated type,
the supported type, the layered type, or the like described above
and bringing the heat storage material 200 into contact with the
inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0108] Note that also in examples illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8 and
the like, the entire gap between the inorganic fibers 102 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 may not be sufficiently filled with the
heat storage material 200, and a certain degree of gap (air layer
or region) may be generated (not illustrated). When the heat
storage material 200 is in contact with at least the surface of
part of the inorganic fibers 102, heat can be stored in the heat
storage material 200, and heat exchange can be performed between
the outside of the heat storage unit 10 and the heat storage
material 200.
<<Other Types of Contact>>
[0109] The embedded type, the impregnated type, the supported type,
and the layered type described above are each an example of an
aspect in which the inorganic fiber sheet is in contact with the
heat storage material 200, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 only
needs to be in contact with the heat storage material 200 so that
heat exchange can be performed, and the aspect in which the
inorganic fiber sheet is in contact with the heat storage material
200 can be appropriately determined according to the shape and size
of the member such as a pipe to which the heat storage unit 10 is
attached, the type and flow velocity of the heating medium, and the
like.
<<<Specific Layered Structure of Layered
Type>>>
[0110] As described above, FIG. 8 illustrates a microscopic state
of layered type contact between the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and
the heat storage material 200. In FIG. 8, the overlapping
(adjacent) inorganic fiber sheets 100 are illustrated so as to be
separated in order to clearly illustrate a relationship of
arrangement of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage
material 200. In the case of actually constituting the heat storage
unit 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the overlapping
(adjacent) inorganic fiber sheets 100 are preferably arranged so as
to be in contact with each other. Heat can be easily transferred
through the entire overlapping inorganic fiber sheet or sheets 100,
and heat exchange can be quickly performed between the outside of
the heat storage unit 10 and the heat storage material 200.
[0111] Note that as described above, in examples illustrated in
FIGS. 9A and 9B, the overlapping inorganic fiber sheets 100 are in
contact with or bound to each other, but for the sake of clarity,
the overlapping inorganic fiber sheets 100 are illustrated to be
separated from each other in FIG. 8.
[0112] FIG. 9A illustrates an example in which a single continuous
inorganic fiber sheet 100 is bent, whereby the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 is overlapped to be formed in a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape. FIG. 9B is an example illustrating a state in
which a plurality of flat inorganic fiber sheets 100 that are
separate from each other is overlapped with each other to be formed
in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 9A and the example illustrated in FIG. 9B, the
overlapping inorganic fiber sheets 100 are in contact with or bound
to each other, and heat can be easily transferred through the
entire overlapping inorganic fiber sheet or sheets 100.
<<<Specific Structure of Heat Storage Unit
10>>>
[0113] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a specific
structure of the heat storage unit 10 using the inorganic fiber
sheets 100 illustrated in FIG. 9B. Note that the heat storage unit
10 can be configured also using the inorganic fiber sheet 100
illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[0114] The heat storage unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 10 has the
housing 300. The housing 300 has a housing portion 306 and a lid
body portion 308. The housing portion 306 has a recessed shape and
can accommodate the overlapped inorganic fiber sheets 100 and the
heat storage material 200 (not illustrated) in the housing portion
306. The lid body portion 308 has a plate-like shape and can be
engaged with the upper end portion of the housing portion 306.
Materials of the housing portion 306 and the lid body portion 308
can be copper, stainless steel, or the like.
[0115] First, the inorganic fiber sheets 100 are housed in the
housing portion 306. Specifically, the inorganic fiber sheets 100
are overlapped and housed in the housing portion 306 to such an
extent that the entire housing portion 306 is filled. In this way,
the housing portion 306 can be roughly filled with the inorganic
fiber sheets 100. Next, the lid body portion 308 is engaged with
the upper end portion of the housing portion 306, and an opening
309 of the housing portion 306 is covered with the lid body portion
308. The overlapped inorganic fiber sheets 100 are connected or the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the housing portion 306 or the like
are connected by applying heat to the housing portion 306 and
sintering. By the connecting, heat can be easily transferred
through the entire overlapped inorganic fiber sheets 100.
Furthermore, the lid body portion 308 is brazed and sealed to the
housing portion 306 with Ni or the like. Note that in a case where
the lid body portion 308 can be connected and sealed to the housing
portion 306 by sintering, brazing is unnecessary. A sintering
temperature, the presence or absence of brazing, a brazing
material, and the like are appropriately determined according to
the materials of the lid body portion 308 and the housing portion
306.
[0116] After the lid body portion 308 is sealed to the housing
portion 306, the heat storage material 200 (not illustrated) is
injected into the housing portion 306 from an injection hole (not
illustrated) of the heat storage material 200. Note that after the
heat storage material 200 is injected, the injection hole is closed
with metal such as copper, stainless steel, and the like. In this
way, the inside of the heat storage unit 10 is filled with the
inorganic fiber sheets 100 and the heat storage material 200, and
the inorganic fiber sheets 100 are connected to and in contact with
both the housing portion 306 and the lid body portion 308. With
such a configuration, heat can be transferred to the enclosed
inorganic fiber sheets 100 from both the housing portion 306 and
the lid body portion 308. As a result, the heat of the cooling
medium outside the heat storage unit 10 can be easily transferred
to the heat storage material 200 via the inorganic fiber sheets
100, and the heat stored in the heat storage material 200 can be
easily transferred to the heating medium outside the heat storage
unit 10 via the inorganic fiber sheets 100.
[0117] Note that in an example described above, the example in
which a plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 is overlapped and
filled in the housing portion 306 has been illustrated, but in a
case where the thickness of the single inorganic fiber sheet 100
has about the depth of the housing portion 306, the single
inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be used without overlapping a
plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100. In addition, in a case
where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 has a plurality of thicknesses,
the housing portion 306 can be filled by appropriately combining
and overlapping the inorganic fiber sheets 100.
<<<Other Structures of Heat Storage Unit
10>>>
[0118] The examples of FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate cases where the
inorganic fiber sheet or sheets 100 as a whole are overlapped to be
formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The
shape of the entirety of the overlapped inorganic fiber sheet or
sheets 100 is appropriately determined to be not only the
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape but also a shape
according to the shape of the heat storage unit 10 (the shape of
the housing portion 306). For example, the overlapped inorganic
fiber sheet or sheets 100 as a whole can be made into a
substantially cubic shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a
substantially polygonal columnar shape, or the like. In addition,
the overlapped inorganic fiber sheet or sheets 100 as a whole can
be made into a shape configured by a curved surface such as a
spherical shape and an ellipsoid shape. Furthermore, the shape of
the entirety of the overlapped inorganic fiber sheet or sheets 100
may be a shape formed by winding the inorganic fiber sheets 100
around a predetermined central axis (pipe or the like). Any shape
may be used as long as the overlapping inorganic fiber sheets 100
are in contact with each other and heat can be easily transferred
through the entire overlapping inorganic fiber sheet or sheets
100.
<<<Inorganic Fiber Mesh Body 150>>>
[0119] In an example described above, the inorganic fiber sheet 100
has the form of a fiber sheet, but may have another form as long as
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can transfer heat. FIG. 11 is a plan
view illustrating an inorganic fiber mesh body 150 having a mesh
shape. A black line illustrated in FIG. 11 is an elongated cable
(yarn, line) including an inorganic fiber. The inorganic fiber mesh
body 150 is formed by connecting a plurality of vertical cables and
a plurality of horizontal cables at overlapping portions while
being separated from each other.
[0120] By overlapping a plurality of inorganic fiber mesh bodies
150 and connecting contact portions by sintering, heat can be
transferred through the entirety of the plurality of inorganic
fiber mesh bodies 150, similarly to the inorganic fiber sheet 100.
By forming a mesh shape, a large gap region 152 can be secured, the
heat storage material 200 can be easily moved in the gap region
152, the heat storage material 200 can be easily inserted into a
gap between the inorganic fibers, and can be easily brought into
contact with the inorganic fiber mesh body 150. Note that space
factors of both the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the inorganic
fiber mesh body 150 are approximately 4% to 6%.
<<<Arrangement of Heat Storage Unit 10 with Respect to
Member>>>
[0121] As described above, the heat storage unit 10 has the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. Here,
the heat storage unit 10 has the housing 300 (housings 300A to
300D).
<<Case where Heat Storage Unit 10A is Arranged on Single
Cylindrical Pipe PI1>
[0122] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which the heat storage unit 10A is arranged on a single pipe PI1
formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The heat storage unit
10A has the housing 300A.
<Pipe PI1>
[0123] The pipe PI1 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape,
and a through hole 430A is formed along a longitudinal direction.
The pipe PI1 has an outer peripheral surface 410A and an inner
peripheral surface 420A. The outer shape of the pipe PI1 is defined
by the outer peripheral surface 410A. The through hole 430A is
defined by the inner peripheral surface 420A. A heating medium such
as a cooling medium and a warming medium can flow through the
through hole 430A. The pipe PI1 is formed of metal, resin, or the
like.
<Heat Storage Unit 10A>
[0124] The heat storage unit 10A has the housing 300A formed in an
elongated cylindrical shape, and a through hole 330A is formed
along a longitudinal direction. The housing 300A of the heat
storage unit 10A has an outer peripheral surface 310A and an inner
peripheral surface 320A. The outer shape of the housing 300A of the
heat storage unit 10A is defined by the outer peripheral surface
310A. The through hole 330A is defined by the inner peripheral
surface 320A. The heat storage unit 10A has an inner diameter
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe PI1. The pipe
PI1 is positioned in the through hole 330A of the heat storage unit
10A. The inner peripheral surface 320A of the housing 300A of the
heat storage unit 10A can be in close contact with the outer
peripheral surface 410A of the pipe PI1.
<Type of Contact and Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>
[0125] In the heat storage unit 10A illustrated in FIG. 12, as the
forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, a spiral shape, a scroll
shape (spiral spring shape) (see FIG. 25) to be described later,
and the like can be used. In addition, the type of contact between
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 may
be any of the embedded type, the impregnated type, the supported
type, and the layered type. The heat storage material 200 can be
provided between the outer peripheral surface 410A of the pipe PI1
and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 wound in a spiral shape. In
addition, the heat storage material 200 can be provided on the
outer peripheral side of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 wound in a
spiral shape. Furthermore, the heat storage material 200 can be
arranged in a region between the inorganic fiber sheets 100 wound
in a scroll shape (spiral spring shape) and adjacent to each other.
With such a configuration, the entire amount of the heat storage
material 200 can be increased. Note that as the forms of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, not only a spiral shape and a scroll
shape (spiral spring shape) but also a flat shape, an uneven shape,
a layered shape, and the like can be appropriately used according
to the size of the housing 300A.
[0126] Heat exchange between a heating medium flowing through the
pipe PI1 and the heat storage material 200 is performed via the
pipe PI1, the housing 300A, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. The
heat of the heating medium is stored in the heat storage material
200 via the pipe PI1, the housing 300A, and the inorganic fiber
sheet 100, and the heat stored in the heat storage material 200 is
transferred to the heating medium via the pipe PI1, the housing
300A, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. Note that heat exchange
with the heat storage material 200 can be performed via the pipe
PI1 and the housing 300A without passing through the inorganic
fiber sheet 100.
[0127] Furthermore, the periphery of the housing 300A is preferably
covered with a heat insulating material. Specifically, the
periphery of the housing 300A is covered with a heat insulating
material that entirely surrounds and is in close contact with the
housing 300A. By using the heat insulating material, heat can be
prevented from being transferred to the outside, and heat exchange
can be efficiently performed between the heat storage material 200
and a heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming medium
flowing through the pipe PI1.
[0128] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is preferably
arranged so as to be in contact with the pipe PI1 in the pipe PI1.
Heat can be more efficiently exchanged between the heat storage
material 200 and the heating medium such as a cooling medium and a
warming medium flowing through the pipe PI1.
<<Case where Heat Storage Unit 10B is Arranged Around a
Plurality of Cylindrical Pipes PI1>>
[0129] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10B is arranged around three pipes PI1
formed in a cylindrical shape. The heat storage unit 10B has a
housing 300B. Note that the number of pipes PI1 is not limited to
three, and may be any number as long as the number is plural.
<Pipe PI1>
[0130] Each of the pipes PI1 is the same as a pipe illustrated in
FIG. 12. A heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming
medium can flow through the through hole 430A formed in each of the
pipes PI1. The three pipes PI1 have the same thickness, and are
arranged substantially in parallel and at equal intervals while
being separated from each other.
<Heat Storage Unit 10B>
[0131] The heat storage unit 10B has the housing 300B formed in a
substantially quadrangular cylindrical shape along the longitudinal
direction of the three pipes PI1, and a through hole 330B is formed
along the longitudinal direction of the pipe PI1. The heat storage
unit 10B can collectively cover the three pipes PI1. The heat
storage unit 10B has an outer peripheral surface 310B and an inner
peripheral surface 320B. The outer shape of the housing 300B of the
heat storage unit 10B is defined by the outer peripheral surface
310B. The through hole 330B is defined by the inner peripheral
surface 320B. The cross section of the through hole 330B of the
heat storage unit 10B is larger than the cross sections of the
three pipes PI1. The three pipes PI1 are arranged in parallel in
the through hole 330B of the heat storage unit 10B. In the through
hole 330B of the heat storage unit 10B, the three pipes PI1 are
arranged to be separated from each other, and are arranged to be
separated also from the inner peripheral surface 320B of the heat
storage unit 10B.
<Type of Contact and Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>
[0132] In the heat storage unit 10B illustrated in FIG. 13, as the
forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, the spiral shape, the
scroll shape (spiral spring shape) (see FIG. 25) to be described
later, and the like can be used. The inorganic fiber sheet 100 can
be wound in a spiral shape around each of the three pipes PI1 or
wound in a scroll shape (spiral spring shape). In addition, the
type of contact between the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat
storage material 200 may be any of the embedded type, the
impregnated type, the supported type, and the layered type.
[0133] As in FIG. 12, the heat storage material 200 can be provided
between the outer peripheral surface 410A of each of the pipes PI1
and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 wound in a spiral shape. In
addition, the heat storage material 200 can be provided on the
outer peripheral side of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 wound in a
spiral shape. Furthermore, the heat storage material 200 can be
arranged in a region between the inorganic fiber sheets 100 wound
in a scroll shape (spiral spring shape) and adjacent to each other.
With such a configuration, the entire amount of the heat storage
material 200 can be increased. Note that as the forms of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, not only the spiral shape and the scroll
shape (spiral spring shape) but also the flat shape, the uneven
shape, the layered shape, and the like can be appropriately used
according to the size of the housing 300B.
[0134] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can also be
arranged in a region between the three pipes PI1 arranged to be
separated from each other. The inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
preferably arranged continuously throughout the entire through hole
330B. By continuously arranging the inorganic fiber sheet 100, heat
can be efficiently conducted.
[0135] Note that in the heat storage unit 10B illustrated in FIG.
13, the three pipes PI1 are arranged in parallel along one stage is
illustrated, but a plurality of pipes PI1 may be arranged in
parallel along each of a plurality of stages.
[0136] Heat exchange between the heat storage material 200 and the
heating medium flowing through the three pipes PI1 is performed via
each of the pipes PI1, the housing 300B, and the inorganic fiber
sheet 100. The heat of the heating medium is stored in the heat
storage material 200 via the pipe PI1, the housing 300B, and the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, and the heat stored in the heat storage
material 200 is transferred to the heating medium via the pipe PI1,
the housing 300B, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. Note that heat
exchange with the heat storage material 200 can be performed via
the pipe PI1 and the housing 300B without passing through the
inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0137] Furthermore, the periphery of the housing 300B is preferably
covered with a heat insulating material. Specifically, the
periphery of the housing 300B is covered with a heat insulating
material that entirely surrounds and is in close contact with the
housing 300B. By using the heat insulating material, heat can be
prevented from being transferred to the outside, and heat exchange
can be efficiently performed between the heat storage material 200
and a heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming medium
flowing through the pipe PI1.
[0138] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is preferably
arranged so as to be in contact with the pipe PI1 in the pipe PI1.
Heat can be more efficiently exchanged between the heat storage
material 200 and the heating medium such as a cooling medium and a
warming medium flowing through the pipe PI1.
<<Case where Heat Storage Unit 10C is Arranged Along Outer
Side of Rectangular Cylindrical Pipe PI2>>
[0139] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which the heat storage unit 10C is arranged along a pipe PI2 formed
in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape outside the pipe
PI2. The heat storage unit 10C has a housing 300C.
<Pipe PI2>
[0140] The pipe PI2 is formed in an elongated rectangular
cylindrical shape, and a through hole 430C is formed along a
longitudinal direction. The pipe PI2 has a first surface 410C and a
second surface 420C. The outer shape of the pipe PI2 is defined by
the first surface 410C. The through hole 430C is defined by the
second surface 420C. A heating medium such as a cooling medium and
a warming medium can flow through the through hole 430C. The pipe
PI2 is formed of metal, resin, or the like.
<Heat Storage Unit 10C>
[0141] The heat storage unit 10C has the housing 300C formed in an
elongated rectangular cylindrical shape, and a through hole 330C is
formed along a longitudinal direction. The housing 300C of the heat
storage unit 10C has a first surface 310C and a second surface
320C. The outer shape of the housing 300C of the heat storage unit
10C is defined by the first surface 310C. The through hole 330C is
defined by the second surface 320C. The width of the housing 300C
of the heat storage unit 10C (length of the pipe PI2 in a
transverse direction) is the same as the width of the pipe PI1
(length in the transverse direction). In an example illustrated in
FIG. 14, arrangement is made so that the upper surface of the
housing 300C of the heat storage unit 10C is in close contact with
the lower surface of the pipe PI2. As described above, in the
example illustrated in FIG. 14, the first surface 410C of the pipe
PI2 and the first surface of the housing 300C of the heat storage
unit 10C are in contact with each other to perform heat
exchange.
<Type of Contact and Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>
[0142] In the heat storage unit 10C illustrated in FIG. 14, as the
forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, the flat shape (see FIG.
20), the layered shape (see FIG. 26) to be described later, and the
like can be used. In addition, the type of contact between the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 may be
any of the embedded type, the impregnated type, the supported type,
and the layered type. The heat storage material 200 can be provided
between the first surface 310C or the second surface 320C of the
housing 300C and the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in a flat shape. In
addition, the heat storage material 200 can be provided in a region
between the inorganic fiber sheets 100 formed in a layered shape.
With such a configuration, the entire amount of the heat storage
material 200 can be increased. Note that as the forms of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, not only the flat shape and the layered
shape but also the spiral shape, the scroll shape (spiral spring
shape), the uneven shape, and the like can be appropriately used
according to the size of the housing 300C.
[0143] Heat exchange between a heating medium flowing through the
pipe PI2 and the heat storage material 200 is performed via the
pipe PI2, the housing 300C, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. The
heat of the heating medium is stored in the heat storage material
200 via the pipe PI2, the housing 300C, and the inorganic fiber
sheet 100, and the heat stored in the heat storage material 200 is
transferred to the heating medium via the pipe PI2, the housing
300C, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. Note that heat exchange
with the heat storage material 200 can be performed via the pipe
PI2 and the housing 300C without passing through the inorganic
fiber sheet 100.
[0144] Furthermore, the periphery of the housing 300C and the pipe
PI2 is preferably covered with a heat insulating material.
Specifically, the periphery of the housing 300C and the pipe PI2 is
covered with a heat insulating material that entirely surrounds and
is in close contact with the housing 300C and the pipe PI2. By
using the heat insulating material, heat can be prevented from
being transferred to the outside, and heat exchange can be
efficiently performed between the heat storage material 200 and a
heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming medium
flowing through the pipe PI2.
[0145] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is preferably
arranged so as to be in contact with the pipe PI2 in the pipe PI2.
Heat can be more efficiently exchanged between the heat storage
material 200 and the heating medium such as a cooling medium and a
warming medium flowing through the pipe PI2.
<<Case where Heat Storage Unit 10 is Arranged Inside
Rectangular Cylindrical Pipe>>
[0146] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which a heat storage unit 10D is arranged along a pipe PI3 formed
in a rectangular cylindrical shape inside the pipe PI3. The heat
storage unit 10D has a housing 300D.
<Pipe PI3>
[0147] The pipe PI3 is formed in an elongated rectangular
cylindrical shape, and a through hole 430D is formed along a
longitudinal direction. The pipe PI3 has an outer peripheral
surface 410D and an inner peripheral surface 420D. The outer shape
of the pipe PI3 is defined by the outer peripheral surface 410D.
The through hole 430D is defined by the inner peripheral surface
420D. The heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming
medium can flow through the through hole 430D. Note that as will be
described later, the heat storage unit 10D is also arranged in the
through hole 430D. The pipe PI3 is formed of metal, resin, or the
like.
<Heat Storage Unit 10D>
[0148] The heat storage unit 10D has the housing 300D formed in an
elongated rectangular cylindrical shape, and a through hole 330D is
formed along a longitudinal direction. The housing 300D of the heat
storage unit 10D has an outer peripheral surface 310D and an inner
peripheral surface 320D. The outer shape of the housing 300D of the
heat storage unit 10D is defined by the outer peripheral surface
310D. The through hole 330D is defined by the inner peripheral
surface 320D. The width (length of the pipe PI3 in a transverse
direction) and height of the outer peripheral surface 410D of the
housing 300D of the heat storage unit 10D are smaller than the
width (length in the transverse direction) and height of the pipe
PI3, respectively. In an example illustrated in FIG. 15, the entire
heat storage unit 10D is accommodated inside the pipe PI3. With
this configuration, the entire outer peripheral surface 310D of the
housing 300D of the heat storage unit 10D can be in contact with a
heating medium flowing through the pipe PI3, and the efficiency of
heat exchange can be enhanced.
<Type of Contact and Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>
[0149] In the heat storage unit 10D illustrated in FIG. 15, as the
forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, the flat shape (see FIG.
20), the layered shape (see FIG. 26) to be described later, and the
like can be used. In addition, the type of contact between the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 may be
any of the embedded type, the impregnated type, the supported type,
and the layered type. The heat storage material 200 can be provided
between the inner peripheral surface 320D of the housing 300D and
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in a flat shape. In addition, the
heat storage material 200 can be provided in a region between the
inorganic fiber sheets 100 formed in a layered shape. Note that as
the forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, not only the flat shape
and the layered shape but also the spiral shape, the scroll shape
(spiral spring shape), the uneven shape, and the like can be
appropriately used according to the size of the housing 300D.
[0150] Heat exchange between the heating medium flowing through the
pipe PI3 and the heat storage material 200 is performed via the
housing 300D and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. The heat of the
cooling medium is transferred to the heat storage material 200 via
the housing 300D and the inorganic fiber sheet 100, and the heat
stored in the heat storage material 200 is transferred to the
heating medium via the housing 300D and the inorganic fiber sheet
100. As described above, with a configuration so as to accommodate
the heat storage unit 10D inside the pipe PI3, heat exchange can be
performed without passing through the pipe PI3, and the efficiency
of heat exchange can be enhanced. Note that also in this case, heat
exchange with the heat storage material 200 can be performed via
the housing 300D without passing through the inorganic fiber sheet
100.
[0151] Furthermore, the periphery of the pipe PI3 is preferably
covered with a heat insulating material. Specifically, the
periphery of the pipe PI3 is covered with a heat insulating
material that entirely surrounds and is in close contact with the
pipe PI3. By using the heat insulating material, heat can be
prevented from being transferred to the outside, and heat exchange
can be efficiently performed between the heat storage material 200
and a heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming medium
flowing through the pipe PI3.
[0152] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is preferably
arranged so as to be in contact with the pipe PI3 in the pipe PI3.
Heat can be more efficiently exchanged between the heat storage
material 200 and the heating medium such as a cooling medium and a
warming medium flowing through the pipe PI3.
<<Case where Heat Storage Unit 10 is Arranged while being
Sandwiched Along Outer Side of Rectangular Cylindrical
Pipe>>
[0153] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example in
which the heat storage unit 10C is arranged along the pipe PI2
formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape outside the pipe PI2,
similarly to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which the
pipe PI2 is arranged only on one surface constituting the outer
periphery of the heat storage unit 10C, but in FIG. 16, the pipe
PI2 is arranged on two surfaces of the outer periphery of the heat
storage unit 10C. Since heat transfer is performed using the two
surfaces of the outer periphery, efficiency can be increased, and
heat transfer can be quickly performed.
[0154] Heat transfer between the heating medium flowing through the
pipe PI2 and the heat storage material 200 is performed via the
pipe PI2, the housing 300C, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. The
heat of the cooling medium is transferred to the heat storage
material 200 via the pipe PI2, the housing 300C, and the inorganic
fiber sheet 100, and heat stored in the heat storage material 200
is transferred to the heating medium via the pipe PI2, the housing
300C, and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. Note that heat transfer
with the heat storage material 200 can be performed via the pipe
PI2 and the housing 300C without passing through the inorganic
fiber sheet 100.
[0155] Furthermore, the periphery of the housing 300C and two pipes
PI2 is preferably covered with a heat insulating material.
Specifically, the periphery of the housing 300C and the two pipes
PI2 is covered with a heat insulating material that entirely
surrounds and is in close contact with the housing 300C and two
pipes PI2. By using the heat insulating material, heat can be
prevented from being transferred to the outside, and heat exchange
can be efficiently performed between the heat storage material 200
and a heating medium such as a cooling medium and a warming medium
flowing through the two pipes PI2.
[0156] In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is preferably
arranged so as to be in contact with the pipes PI2 inside each of
the two pipes PI2. Heat can be more efficiently exchanged between
the heat storage material 200 and the heating medium such as a
cooling medium and a warming medium flowing through the pipe
PI2.
<<<<Application of Heat Storage Unit 10>>>
[0157] As described above, the heat storage unit 10 is attached to
the member such as a pipe, and heat exchange can be performed
between the heat storage material 200 and the heating medium.
<<Configuration of Temperature Adjustment Device
600>>
[0158] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
of the temperature adjustment device 600 for adjusting a workpiece
(object) to a predetermined temperature. Note that in FIG. 17, a
valve, a check valve, a pump, and the like are omitted for
convenience. The opening and closing of the valve and the flow rate
of the heating medium can be appropriately adjusted. The
temperature adjustment device 600 has the high-temperature chiller
610, the low-temperature chiller 620, and the workpiece temperature
control unit 630, and supplies a mixed heating medium obtained by
mixing a warming medium sent from the high-temperature chiller 610
and a cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 to
the workpiece temperature control unit 630, and adjusts the
workpiece to a desired temperature in the workpiece temperature
control unit 630.
[0159] The high-temperature chiller 610 is connected to the pipe
702, and can send a warming medium having a predetermined high
temperature from the pipe 702. The pipe 702 is connected to the
branching portion 752. The branching portion 752 is also connected
to a pipe 703 and a pipe 720. The branching portion 752 has a valve
(not illustrated). The pipe 702 may be communicated with only one
of the pipe 703 and the pipe 720 by opening or closing a valve of
the branching portion 752, or the pipe 702 may be communicated with
both the pipe 703 and the pipe 720 by appropriately adjusting the
opening degree of the valve of the branching portion 752, and flow
rate control of a flow rate to the pipe 703 and a flow rate to the
pipe 720 may be performed. The warming medium sent from the
high-temperature chiller 610 is sent to either the pipe 703 or the
pipe 720 by the operation of the valve of the branching portion
752.
[0160] The low-temperature chiller 620 is connected to a pipe 704,
and can send a warming medium having a predetermined low
temperature lower than a predetermined high temperature from the
pipe 704. The pipe 704 is connected to a branching portion 754. The
branching portion 754 is also connected to a pipe 705 and a pipe
722. The branching portion 754 has a valve (not illustrated). The
pipe 704 may be communicated with only one of the pipe 705 and the
pipe 722 by opening or closing a valve of the branching portion
754, or the pipe 704 may be communicated with both the pipe 705 and
the pipe 722 by appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the
valve of the branching portion 754, and flow rate control of a flow
rate to the pipe 705 and a flow rate to the pipe 722 may be
performed. The cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller
620 is sent to either the pipe 705 or the pipe 722 by the operation
of the valve of the branching portion 754.
[0161] The pipe 703 and the pipe 705 are connected to a mixing unit
760. The mixing unit 760 is connected to a pipe 706. The pipe 706
is connected to the workpiece temperature control unit 630. The
warming medium sent from the high-temperature chiller 610 and the
cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 are mixed
in the mixing unit 760 to become a mixed medium, and the mixed
medium is supplied to the workpiece temperature control unit 630
via the pipe 706.
[0162] The workpiece temperature control unit 630 has an
installation table (not illustrated) on which the workpiece can be
installed. The installation table is configured so that the mixed
medium supplied via the pipe 706 and the workpiece can exchange
heat with each other, and the temperature of the workpiece can be
adjusted according to the mixed medium.
[0163] The workpiece temperature control unit 630 is connected to
the pipe 708. In the workpiece temperature control unit 630, the
mixed medium having finished exchanging heat with the workpiece is
sent to the pipe 708. The pipe 708 is connected to a branching
portion 762. The branching portion 762 is connected to a pipe 710
and a pipe 714. The mixed medium reaching the branching portion 762
via the pipe 708 is branched into the pipe 710 and the pipe 714 at
the branching portion 762.
[0164] As described above, the branching portion 752 branches into
the pipe 703 and the pipe 720. The pipe 710 and the pipe 720 are
connected to a merging portion 772. Furthermore, a pipe 724 is
connected to the merging portion 772. The merging portion 772 has a
valve (not illustrated). Only one of the pipe 710 and the pipe 720
may be selected and communicated with the pipe 724 by opening or
closing a valve of the merging portion 772, or both the pipe 710
and the pipe 720 may be communicated with the pipe 724 by
appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the valve of the
merging portion 772, and flow rate control of a flow rate from the
pipe 710 and a flow rate from the pipe 720 may be performed. When
the pipe 710 communicates with the pipe 724 by the operation of the
valve of the merging portion 772, the pipe 710 is connected to the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 via the merging portion 772
and the pipe 724, and the high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is
connected to the high-temperature chiller 610 via a pipe 712. In
addition, when the pipe 720 communicates with the pipe 724 by the
operation of the valve of the merging portion 772, the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 can be regenerated.
[0165] As described above, the branching portion 754 branches into
the pipe 705 and the pipe 722. The pipe 714 and the pipe 722 are
connected to the merging portion 774. Furthermore, a pipe 726 is
connected to the merging portion 774. The merging portion 774 has a
valve (not illustrated). Only one of the pipe 714 and the pipe 722
may be selected and communicated with the pipe 726 by opening or
closing the valve of the merging portion 774, or both the pipe 714
and the pipe 722 may be communicated with the pipe 726 by
appropriately adjusting the opening degree of the valve of the
merging portion 774, and the flow rate control of a flow rate from
the pipe 714 and a flow rate from the pipe 722 may be performed.
When the pipe 714 communicates with the pipe 726 by the operation
of the valve of the merging portion 774, the pipe 714 is connected
to the low-temperature heat storage unit 650 via the merging
portion 774 and the pipe 726, and the low-temperature heat storage
unit 650 is connected to the low-temperature chiller 620 via a pipe
716. In addition, when the pipe 722 communicates with the pipe 726
by the operation of the valve of the merging portion 774, the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 can be regenerated.
<High-Temperature Heat Storage Unit 640>
[0166] As described above, when the pipe 710 communicates with the
pipe 724 by the operation of the valve of the merging portion 772,
the pipe 710 is connected to the high-temperature heat storage unit
640. The mixed medium sent from the branching portion 762 to the
pipe 710 is supplied to the high-temperature heat storage unit 640
as a reflux medium. The high-temperature heat storage unit 640 has
the heat storage unit 10 described above, and has the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. Heat exchange
can be performed between the heat storage material 200 of the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 and the reflux medium
flowing through the pipe 710.
[0167] As described above, the warming medium sent from the
high-temperature chiller 610 is mixed with the cooling medium sent
from the low-temperature chiller 620 in the mixing unit 760 to
become a mixed medium. The temperature of the mixed medium becomes
lower than the temperature of the warming medium sent from the
high-temperature chiller 610 by mixing with the cooling medium.
Therefore, the temperature of the reflux medium flowing through the
pipe 710 also decreases. In a case where the high-temperature heat
storage unit 640 is not provided, the reflux medium having a low
temperature returns to the high-temperature chiller 610, and a
burden on the high-temperature chiller 610 for increasing the
temperature of the reflux medium to a predetermined high
temperature of the reflux medium by the high-temperature chiller
610 inevitably increases.
[0168] Thus, by providing the high-temperature heat storage unit
640 in a flow path before the reflux medium returns to the
high-temperature chiller 610, heat stored in the heat storage
material 200 of the high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is
transferred to the reflux medium, and the temperature of the reflux
medium can be increased in advance. The burden on the
high-temperature chiller 610 can be reduced by increasing the
temperature of the reflux medium before the reflux medium returns
to the high-temperature chiller 610. By providing the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640, it becomes unnecessary to
use the capacity of the high-temperature chiller 610 to the
maximum, it is possible to provide a margin for the operation of
the high-temperature chiller 610, it is possible to provide a
low-capacity high-temperature chiller 610, and it is possible to
save power consumption of the temperature adjustment device
600.
<Low-Temperature Heat Storage Unit 650>
[0169] As described above, when the pipe 714 communicates with the
pipe 726 by the operation of the valve of the merging portion 774,
the pipe 714 is connected to the low-temperature heat storage unit
650. The mixed medium sent from the branching portion 762 to the
pipe 714 is supplied to the low-temperature heat storage unit 650
as a reflux medium. The low-temperature heat storage unit 650 has
the heat storage unit 10 described above, and has the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200. Heat exchange
can be performed between the heat storage material 200 of the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 and the reflux medium flowing
through the pipe 714.
[0170] As described above, the cooling medium sent from the
low-temperature chiller 620 is mixed with the warming medium sent
from the high-temperature chiller 610 in the mixing unit 760 to
become a mixed medium. Due to the mixing with the warming medium,
the temperature of the mixed medium becomes higher than the
temperature of the cooling medium sent from the low-temperature
chiller 620. Therefore, the temperature of the reflux medium
flowing through the pipe 714 also increases. When the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 is not provided, the reflux
medium having a high temperature returns to the low-temperature
chiller 620, and a burden on the low-temperature chiller 620 for
decreasing the temperature of the reflux medium to a predetermined
low temperature by the low-temperature chiller 620 inevitably
increases.
[0171] Thus, by providing the low-temperature heat storage unit 650
in a flow path before the reflux medium returns to the
low-temperature chiller 620, the heat of the reflux medium is
transferred to the heat storage material 200 of the low-temperature
heat storage unit 650, and the temperature of the reflux medium can
be decreased in advance. By decreasing the temperature of the
reflux medium before the reflux medium returns to the
low-temperature chiller 620, the burden on the low-temperature
chiller 620 can be reduced. By providing the low-temperature heat
storage unit 650, it becomes unnecessary to use the capacity of the
low-temperature chiller 620 to the maximum, it is possible to
provide a margin for the operation of the low-temperature chiller
620, it is possible to use a low-capacity low-temperature chiller
620, and it is possible to save power consumption of the
temperature adjustment device 600.
<<Normal Operation State>>
[0172] FIG. 17 illustrates a flow path of the heating medium when
the high-temperature chiller 610 and the low-temperature chiller
620 operate steadily and the high-temperature heat storage unit 640
and the low-temperature heat storage unit 650 operate normally. In
FIG. 17, a flow of the heating medium is illustrated by a black
arrow. In a normal operation state, the valve of the branching
portion 752 operates so that the pipe 702 and the pipe 703
communicate with each other, and the valve of the branching portion
754 operates so that the pipe 704 and the pipe 705 communicate with
each other. The valve of the merging portion 772 operates so that
the pipe 710 and the pipe 724 communicate with each other, and the
valve of the merging portion 774 operates so that the pipe 714 and
the pipe 726 communicate with each other.
[0173] The high-temperature chiller 610 can send a warming medium
having a predetermined high temperature, for example, 80.degree. C.
from the pipe 702. Meanwhile, the low-temperature chiller 620 can
send a cooling medium having a predetermined low temperature lower
than a predetermined high temperature, for example, -20.degree. C.
from the pipe 704.
[0174] The valve of the branching portion 752 operates so that the
pipe 702 and the pipe 703 communicate with each other, and the
warming medium sent from the high-temperature chiller 610 flows
through the pipe 702 and the pipe 703. In addition, the valve of
the branching portion 754 operates so that the pipe 704 and the
pipe 705 communicate with each other, and the cooling medium sent
from the low-temperature chiller 620 flows through the pipe 704 and
the pipe 705.
[0175] The warming medium sent from the high-temperature chiller
610 and then flowing through the pipe 702 and the pipe 703 and the
cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 and then
flowing through the pipe 704 and the pipe 705 are mixed in the
mixing unit 760 to become a mixed medium having a desired
temperature. Note that the flow rate of the warming medium sent
from the high-temperature chiller 610 and the flow rate of the
cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 are
appropriately adjusted by a valve (not illustrated) or the like,
and a mixed medium having a desired flow rate at a desired
temperature can be obtained. The mixed medium flows through the
pipe 706 and is supplied to the workpiece temperature control unit
630. In the workpiece temperature control unit 630, heat exchange
can be performed between the mixed medium and the workpiece, and
the workpiece can be adjusted to a desired temperature by the mixed
medium.
[0176] The mixed medium supplied to the workpiece temperature
control unit 630 passes through the pipe 708 and is branched by the
branching portion 762 to become a reflux medium flowing through the
pipe 710 and the pipe 714. The reflux medium flowing through the
pipe 710 is supplied to the high-temperature heat storage unit 640,
and the temperature of the reflux medium is increased by heat
exchange between the heat storage material 200 of the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 and the reflux medium. The
reflux medium having an increased temperature is returned to the
high-temperature chiller 610 via the pipe 712. The reflux medium
flowing through the pipe 714 is supplied to the low-temperature
heat storage unit 650, and the temperature of the reflux medium is
decreased by heat exchange between the heat storage material 200 of
the low-temperature heat storage unit 650 and the reflux medium.
The reflux medium having a decreased temperature is returned to the
low-temperature chiller 620 via the pipe 716.
<<Regeneration Operation State of High-Temperature Heat
Storage Unit 640>>
[0177] As described above, in the normal operation state, the heat
storage material 200 of the heat storage unit 10 constituting the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is used to increase the
temperature of the reflux medium by performing heat exchange with
the reflux medium having a decreased temperature. By the heat
exchange with the reflux medium, the heat storage material 200 is
gradually deprived of heat, and the temperature decreases. When the
temperature of heat storage material 200 decreases, heat exchange
with the reflux medium cannot be sufficiently performed, and it
becomes difficult to increase the temperature of the reflux medium.
Therefore, when the temperature of heat storage material 200
decreases, it is necessary to perform regeneration operation for
storing heat in heat storage material 200. Here, the warming medium
sent from the high-temperature chiller 610 is supplied to the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 by switching a flow path of
the warming medium, and heat is stored in the heat storage material
200 of the high-temperature heat storage unit 640, whereby the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is regenerated.
[0178] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a flow path for
regenerating the high-temperature heat storage unit 640. Also in
FIG. 18, a valve, a check valve, a pump, and the like are omitted
for convenience. The opening and closing of the valve and the flow
rate of the heating medium can be appropriately adjusted. A flow of
heating medium is illustrated by a black arrow. In a regeneration
operation state of the high-temperature heat storage unit 640, the
valve of the branching portion 752 operates so that the pipe 702
and the pipe 720 communicate with each other. The valve of the
merging portion 772 operates so that the pipe 720 and the pipe 724
communicate with each other. In addition, in an example illustrated
in FIG. 18, the sending of the cooling medium from the
low-temperature chiller 620 is stopped.
[0179] The high-temperature chiller 610 is operating, and the
warming medium sent from the high-temperature chiller 610 is
supplied to the high-temperature heat storage unit 640 via the pipe
720 at the branching portion 752. The heat of the heating medium
supplied to the high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is
transferred to the heat storage unit 10 constituting the
high-temperature heat storage unit 640, and the heat is stored in
the heat storage material 200 of the heat storage unit 10, whereby
the high-temperature heat storage unit 640 is regenerated.
[0180] Note that as described above, the flow rate can be
controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the valve of the
branching portion 752 and the valve of the merging portion 772.
Specifically, the flow rate to the pipe 703 and the flow rate to
the pipe 720 can be adjusted by communicating the pipe 702 with
both the pipe 703 and the pipe 720 by the valve of the branching
portion 752, and the flow rate from the pipe 710 and the flow rate
from the pipe 720 can be adjusted by communicating both the pipe
710 and the pipe 720 with the pipe 724 by the valve of the merging
portion 772. As described above, by appropriately controlling the
flow rate of the pipe, the high-temperature heat storage unit 640
may be regenerated while heat exchange between the mixed medium and
the workpiece is performed.
<<Regeneration Operation State of Heat Storage Unit for Low
Temperature 650>>
[0181] As described above, in the normal operation state, the heat
storage material 200 of the heat storage unit 10 constituting the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 is used to decrease the
temperature of the reflux medium by performing heat exchange with
the reflux medium having a decreased temperature. By the heat
exchange with the reflux medium, heat is gradually stored in the
heat storage material 200, and the temperature increases. When the
temperature of heat storage material 200 increases, heat exchange
with the reflux medium cannot be sufficiently performed, and it
becomes difficult to decrease the temperature of the reflux medium.
Therefore, when the temperature of heat storage material 200
increases, it is necessary to perform regeneration operation for
taking heat from heat storage material 200. Here, the cooling
medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 is supplied to the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 by switching a flow path of
the cooling medium to take heat from the heat storage material 200
of the low-temperature heat storage unit 650, whereby the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 is regenerated.
[0182] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a flow path for
regenerating the low-temperature heat storage unit 650. Also in
FIG. 19, a valve, a check valve, a pump, and the like are omitted
for convenience. The opening and closing of the valve and the flow
rate of the heating medium can be appropriately adjusted. A flow of
heating medium is illustrated by a black arrow. In a regeneration
operation state of the low-temperature heat storage unit 650, the
valve of the branching portion 754 operates so that the pipe 704
and the pipe 722 communicate with each other. The valve of the
merging portion 774 operates so that the pipe 722 and the pipe 726
communicate with each other. In addition, in an example illustrated
in FIG. 19, the outflow of the warming medium from the
high-temperature chiller 610 is stopped.
[0183] The low-temperature chiller 620 is operating, and the
cooling medium sent from the low-temperature chiller 620 is
supplied to the low-temperature heat storage unit 650 via the pipe
722 at the branching portion 754. Heat stored in the heat storage
material 200 of the heat storage unit 10 constituting the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 is transferred to the cooling
medium supplied to the low-temperature heat storage unit 650, and
the heat is removed from the heat storage material 200, whereby the
low-temperature heat storage unit 650 is regenerated.
[0184] Note that as described above, the flow rate can be
controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the valve of the
branching portion 754 and the valve of the merging portion 774.
Specifically, the flow rate to the pipe 705 and the flow rate to
the pipe 722 can be adjusted by communicating the pipe 704 with
both the pipe 705 and the pipe 722 by the valve of the branching
portion 754, and the flow rate from the pipe 714 and the flow rate
from the pipe 722 can be adjusted by communicating both the pipe
714 and the pipe 722 with the pipe 726 by the valve of the merging
portion 774. As described above, by appropriately controlling the
flow rate of the pipe, the low-temperature heat storage unit 650
may be regenerated while heat exchange between the mixed medium and
the workpiece is performed.
<<Function of Heat Storage Material 200 in Temperature
Adjustment Device 600>>
[0185] In the temperature adjustment device 600, the heat storage
material 200 is used as an auxiliary engine, whereby the
temperature of the reflux medium can be adjusted without
temperature adjustment through active control, and the temperature
of the heating medium can be brought close to a desired temperature
with a passive simple configuration.
<<<Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100>>>
[0186] As described above, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the
heat storage material 200 are provided. The heat storage unit 10 is
arranged so as to be in contact with a member such as a pipe
through which a heating medium and a cooling medium flows, and heat
exchange is performed between a heating medium such as a warming
medium and a cooling medium and the heat storage material 200 via
the inorganic fiber sheet 100. As described above, the entire
inorganic fiber sheet 100 has a flexible sheet-like (thin
plate-like) form (see FIG. 1). Using the flexibility of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be
configured by appropriately deforming according to the shape, size,
and the like of the member such as a pipe to constitute the heat
storage unit 10.
[0187] Hereinafter, the forms of only the inorganic fiber sheet 100
will be described. Note that in the case of configuring the heat
storage unit 10, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage
material 200 is configured to be in contact with each other in
combination with the embedded type, the impregnated type, the
supported type, the layered type, and the like described above.
<<Flat Shape>>
[0188] FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is made in a flat shape. The flat
shape can be used, for example, in cases such as a case where an
outer surface of a top plate, a bottom plate, or the like of the
member such as a pipe has a flat surface. By spreading (extending)
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 along a flat surface, the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 can be deformed into a flat shape and arranged on a
member such as a top plate and a bottom plate. Note that the shape
of the member such as a pipe may be not only a completely flat
shape but also a gently curved shape.
[0189] Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is made
in a flat shape and used, the heat storage material 200 may be
arranged in and brought into contact with a region inside the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, or may be arranged on and brought into
contact with the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. For example, the heat storage material
200 may be arranged between the member such as a pipe and the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat storage material
200 may be arranged at a position separated from the member such as
a pipe.
<<Uneven Shape>>
[0190] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed so that unevenness is
repeated. For example, the uneven shape can be used in a case where
the heat storage unit 10 is attached to a member processed into a
corrugated shape in which a curved recess and a curved protrusion
are repeated or the like. The inorganic fiber sheet 100 is attached
while being gradually deformed (extended) along a curved uneven
surface, whereby the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be deformed into
an uneven shape and arranged on the member.
[0191] Note that the uneven shape may be not only a shape
constituted by a gentle curved surface like a corrugated shape
illustrated in FIG. 21, but also a shape in which a cross section
is bent so as to repeat a V-shape and an inverted V-shape as
illustrated in FIG. 22. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the
uneven shape may include not only a curved surface but also a flat
surface. Note that in FIG. 23, the thickness of the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 is omitted. The shape illustrated in FIG. 23 is a shape
in which a cross section is curved so as to repeat a U-shape and an
inverted U-shape, and is formed so that adjacent plane portions are
parallel to each other. The adjacent plane portions have a layered
structure. In this way, in a case where a layered structure as
illustrated in FIG. 23 is formed, the layered structure can be
configured by processing a single inorganic fiber sheet 100, and a
configuration can be simplified and a manufacturing process can be
simplified.
[0192] Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
deformed into an uneven shape, the heat storage material 200 may be
arranged in and brought into contact with a region inside the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, or may be arranged on and brought into
contact with the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. Also in this case, for example, the heat
storage material 200 can be arranged between the member such as a
pipe and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat
storage material 200 may be arranged at a position separated from
the member such as a pipe.
<<Spiral Shape>>
[0193] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
an elongated inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed into a spiral
shape. Note that in FIG. 24, the thickness of the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 is omitted. For example, the spiral shape can be used in
a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is wound around an
elongated member such as a pipe. By gradually displacing the
inorganic fiber sheet along the longitudinal direction of the pipe
while winding the inorganic fiber sheet 100 along the periphery of
the pipe, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be deformed in a spiral
shape and arranged on the pipe. Note that the elongated member may
have a shape extending linearly along the longitudinal direction, a
curved shape, or a bent shape.
[0194] Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
deformed into a spiral shape, the heat storage material 200 may be
arranged in and brought into contact with a region inside the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, or may be arranged on and brought into
contact with the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. Also in this case, for example, the heat
storage material 200 can be arranged between the member such as a
pipe and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat
storage material 200 may be arranged at a position separated from
the member such as a pipe.
<<Scroll Shape (Spring Spiral Shape)>>
[0195] FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is deformed into a scroll shape
(spiral spring shape). Note that in FIG. 25, the thickness of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 is omitted. For example, the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 can be deformed by being wound around an elongated
member such as a pipe with the pipe as the center so that a radius
gradually increases, and arranged around the pipe. The spiral shape
described above is formed by gradually displacing the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 along the longitudinal direction of the pipe while
winding the inorganic fiber sheet 100 along the periphery of the
pipe, but the scroll shape can be formed by winding the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 without displacing the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in
the longitudinal direction.
[0196] Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
deformed into a scroll shape, the heat storage material 200 may be
arranged in and brought into contact with a region inside the
inorganic fiber sheet 100, or may be arranged on and brought into
contact with the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. Also in this case, for example, the heat
storage material 200 can be arranged between the member such as a
pipe and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat
storage material 200 may be arranged at a position separated from
the member such as a pipe. In particular, the heat storage material
200 can also be arranged in a region between the inorganic fiber
sheets 100 wound around a pipe and adjacent to each other. With
such a configuration, the entire amount of the heat storage
material 200 can be increased.
<<Layered Shape>>
[0197] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 is made in a layered
shape by being arranged substantially in parallel while being
separated from each other. The layered shape can be used, for
example, in cases such as a case where the heat storage unit 10 is
attached to a member having a flat surface such as a top plate and
a bottom plate. A plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 can be
formed in a layered shape on a flat surface of a top plate, a
bottom plate, or the like by layering the plurality of inorganic
fiber sheets 100. In the case of forming in a layered shape, the
heat storage material 200 can also be arranged between the adjacent
inorganic fiber sheets 100, and the overall amount of the heat
storage material 200 can be increased. In addition, since the
plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 is arranged substantially
in parallel, it is easy to align a temperature distribution of the
heat storage material 200 arranged between the adjacent inorganic
fiber sheets 100 (in-plane temperature distribution of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100), and every corner of the heat storage
material 200 can be effectively utilized.
[0198] Even in a case where the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is formed
in a layered shape, the heat storage material 200 may be arranged
in and brought into contact with a region inside the inorganic
fiber sheet 100, or may be arranged on and brought into contact
with the first surface 110 or the second surface 120 of the
inorganic fiber sheet 100. Also in this case, for example, the heat
storage material 200 can be arranged between the member such as a
pipe and the inorganic fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat
storage material 200 may be arranged at a position separated from
the member such as a pipe.
[0199] Note that it is sufficient that a plurality of inorganic
fiber sheets 100 can be arranged substantially in parallel while
being separated from each other, and not only a plurality of
inorganic fiber sheets 100 can be made in a flat shape, but also a
plurality of inorganic fiber sheets 100 can be curved and layered
while being kept in parallel.
<<<Form of Inorganic Fiber Sheet 100, Type of Contact of
Heat Storage Material 200, and Heat Transfer>>>
[0200] Although the flat shape, the uneven shape, the spiral shape,
the scroll shape (spiral spring shape), and the layered shape have
been described as the forms of the inorganic fiber sheet 100, each
of these shapes is an example, and forms such as the shape and
arrangement of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 can be appropriately
determined according to the shape, size, and the like of the member
such as a pipe through which a heating medium or a cooling medium
flows. As described above, the form of only the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 have been described, but the heat storage unit 10 is
configured so that the heat storage material 200 is in contact with
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 by appropriately selecting the type
of contact such as the embedded type, the impregnated type, the
supported type, and the layered type described above according to
the form of the inorganic fiber sheet 100.
[0201] As described above, in the heat storage unit 10, heat
introduced from the outside of the heat storage unit 10 is
transferred to the heat storage material 200 via the inorganic
fiber sheet 100. In addition, the heat stored in the heat storage
material 200 is led out to the outside of the heat storage unit 10
via the inorganic fiber sheet 100. As described above, heat is
introduced or led out via the inorganic fiber sheet 100. As
described above, by appropriately determining the size and shape of
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and appropriately determining a
position at which the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is arranged, a
contact state between the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat
storage material 200 can be made into a suitable state.
[0202] In the heat storage unit 10, by appropriately distributing
the inorganic fiber sheet 100, heat transferred from the outside to
the heat storage unit 10 can be dispersed by the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 and uniformly transferred to the heat storage material
200. In addition, the heat stored in the heat storage material 200
can be uniformly collected on the inorganic fiber sheet from
everywhere of the heat storage material 200 and transferred to the
outside of the heat storage unit 10. For example, the inorganic
fiber sheet 100 can be arranged to be isotropically distributed. In
this way, heat can be efficiently absorbed and stored by the heat
storage material 200, and heat can be taken out from the heat
storage material 200 and supplied to the outside.
[0203] In addition, it may be necessary to increase the amount of
heat storage material 200 in order to increase the amount of heat
that can be exchanged. As illustrated in FIG. 27, in a case where
the amount of the heat storage material 200 is increased, it is
necessary to arrange the heat storage material 200 up to a position
LD far from a pipe PI0. When the heat storage material 200 is
configured in this way, it is assumed that it takes time to
transfer heat to the heat storage material 200 located at the
position LD far from the pipe PI0 and it takes time to extract heat
from the heat storage material 200 located at the position LD far
from the pipe PI0. In this case, it becomes difficult to transfer
heat to the entire heat storage material 200 or to take out heat
from the entire heat storage material 200, and responsiveness of
heat exchange deteriorates. Thus, even if the amount of the heat
storage material 200 is increased, the entire heat storage material
200 may not be sufficiently utilized.
[0204] Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 28, by arranging the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 to reach every corner of the heat storage
material 200, heat can be quickly transferred to the heat storage
material 200 located at the position LD far from the pipe PI0, and
heat can be quickly taken out from the heat storage material 200
located at the position LD far from the pipe PI0. In an example
illustrated in FIG. 28, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in an uneven
shape and having a layered structure illustrated in FIG. 23 is
used. By using the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in an uneven shape and
having a layered structure, heat change can be uniformly performed
throughout the entire heat storage material 200. Note that not only
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 in an uneven shape illustrated in
FIG. 23 but also an inorganic fiber sheet 100 of another form can
be used. The form of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is appropriately
determined according to the shape, size, and the like of the member
such as a pipe to which the heat storage unit 10 is attached, the
types, flow velocities, and the like of the heating medium and the
cooling medium, the amount of the heat storage material 200, and
the like.
[0205] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 has a guiding end 130. The inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
integrally formed including the guiding end 130, and can transfer
heat. The guiding end 130 of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 is
arranged inside the pipe PI0. In this way, the heat of the cooling
medium flowing through the pipe PI0 can be easily transferred to
the heat storage material 200, and the heat stored in the heat
storage material 200 can be easily transferred to the heating
medium flowing through the pipe PI0.
<<<Housing 300>>>
[0206] As described above, the heat storage unit 10 may have the
housing 300. In a case where the heat storage unit 10 has the
housing 300, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage
material 200 are housed in the housing 300. Note that it is
preferable that part of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 extends and
is exposed from the housing 300. An extending portion and an
exposed portion of the inorganic fiber sheet 100 are used for
conduction of heat between the heat storage unit 10 and the
outside. For example, the outside includes a heating medium
(heating medium) such as a warming medium and a cooling medium
flowing through a pipe.
[0207] In a case where the heat storage material 200 is a substance
that undergoes a solid-solid phase transition, the housing 300 is
not required because the heat storage material 200 always has a
constant shape. Meanwhile, in a case where the heat storage
material 200 is a substance that undergoes a solid-liquid phase
transition, the housing 300 is required because when the heat
storage material 200 is in a liquid state, the heat storage
material 200 cannot maintain a certain shape. Note that even in a
case where the heat storage material 200 is a substance that
undergoes a solid-solid phase transition, the inorganic fiber sheet
100 and the heat storage material 200 may be configured to be
housed in housing 300. By housing the heat storage material 200 in
the housing 300, it is possible to maintain a contact state between
an inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 and
to stabilize thermal conductivity by preventing breakage and
contamination.
<<Configuration of Housing 300>>
[0208] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating part of the
housing 300. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the housing 300 has a
copper foil 302 and a copper plate 304. The copper foil 302 and the
copper plate 304 function as a case body of the housing 300. The
copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 include copper and have a
substantially flat shape (substantially flat plate shape). The
copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 are arranged while being
separated from and parallel to each other, and the inorganic fiber
sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 are arranged between
the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304. The inorganic fiber
sheet 100 and the heat storage material 200 are sandwiched between
the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304. Note that in an
example illustrated in FIG. 29, the copper foil 302 forms an upper
surface, and the copper plate 304 forms a lower surface.
[0209] When heat is transferred from the outside of the heat
storage unit 10 to the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304,
the heat can be transferred to the heat storage material 200 via
the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and stored. In addition, when heat is
stored in the heat storage material 200, the heat can be
transferred to the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 via the
inorganic fiber sheet 100 and output to the outside of the heat
storage unit 10.
[0210] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
configuration of the housing 300. As illustrated in FIG. 30, ends
of the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 facing each other
can be joined. By the joining, the copper foil 302 and the copper
plate 304 can be sealed, and the heat storage material 200 can be
prevented from being leaked even if the heat storage material 200
is liquefied. For the joining, a method such as caulking and
welding can be used. By joining the copper foil 302 and the copper
plate 304, the inorganic fiber sheet 100 and the heat storage
material 200 can be enclosed.
[0211] In an example described above, the copper foil 302 is used
as the upper surface and the copper plate 304 is used as the lower
surface, but the copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 are not
limited to those made of copper, and other metal such as stainless
steel, carbon, graphite, and the like may be used. In addition, the
copper foil 302 and the copper plate 304 made of copper are made of
copper and have different thicknesses. The housing 300 may be
configured using only the copper foil 302, or the housing 300 may
be configured using only the copper plate 304.
Modification 1
[0212] As described above, a heat storage unit 10 (high-temperature
heat storage unit 640, low-temperature heat storage unit 650, and
the like) performs heat exchange with the heating medium. In order
to enhance the efficiency of heat exchange, a heat insulating
material can be used. For example, by covering the heat storage
unit 10 with a heat insulator including a heat insulating material
having a shape and a size for covering the entire heat storage unit
10, it is possible to prevent heat from being transferred to other
than a heat storage material 200 and a warming medium, and it is
possible to enhance the efficiency of heat exchange between the
heat storage material 200 and the warming medium. By using the heat
insulating material, the heating medium can be quickly brought
close to a desired temperature, and the heat storage material 200
can be quickly regenerated.
Details of Present Embodiments
[0213] As described above, the present invention has been described
according to the present embodiments, but it should not be
understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of
this disclosure limit this invention. As described above, it is a
matter of course that the present invention includes various
embodiments and the like not described herein.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0214] 10 Heat storage unit [0215] 100 Inorganic fiber sheet [0216]
102 Inorganic fiber [0217] 200 Heat storage material [0218] 300
Housing [0219] 600 Temperature adjustment device [0220] 610
High-temperature chiller [0221] 620 Low-temperature chiller [0222]
630 Workpiece temperature control unit [0223] 640 High-temperature
heat storage unit [0224] 650 Low-temperature heat storage unit
* * * * *